A Handbook for the Loyal Opposition

This sounds about right. I caught Rush the other day when I was out driving around, telling the world about how he hoped Obama failed. It reminded me of the crazies who obsessed for years over the “stolen” election of 2000 and who valued defeating any initiative by Bush more than they valued the good of the country. Of course, what Limbaugh means is that he doesn’t want Obama’s loony lefty ideas to be implemented with the power of the state. Neither do I. But the thing about partisan politics is that it quickly morphs into a fervent hope that the country suffer rather than your ideological opponent see success, because that might endanger your precious ideology. I wish Obama success because I wish my country success. I am *highly* skeptical that Obama will achieve success (by which I mean “an increase in the common good” not “massive power for Lefties”). I fear greatly he will achieve the latter–and that he will use many of the tools forged for him by his predecessor to inflict that power on the rest of us.